Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Yes it can be extremely annoying and embarrassing having a scalp
condition like dandruff, eczema, scalp infections or a nasty itchy red
rash on your scalp.
If you are suffering from:
itchy scalp, sore scalp or do you have a flaky dry scalp with redness and rashes that drive you crazy?
scalp picking - do you constantly find yourself picking at & scratching?
oily scalp and limp hair leaving you feeling less than your best
embarrassing dandruff falling on your clothes
or even a fungal infection of your scalp...that can lead to lesions or scalp sores.
Hair falling out & patches on your scalp
Your
instinct might be to pick up a product from the store shelf or your
doctor. Most of these scalp treatments that promise relief from dry
scalp conditions sound very attractive until you start reading the fine
print.
Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)? What's that? Why do
you have to call a Poison Control Center if you accidentally swallow
shampoo? And what are those warning labels on the back all about? What
does it do to your head if it's that toxic?
Stop! What you must
know is that several chemicals, especially SLS, strip the natural oils
from the skin and even corrode it, along with your eye membranes. Have
you also noticed that your hair has been thinning? Well hair follicle
damage is another little known but very common symptom of these
chemicals.
Actually, most commercial shampoos & scalp
treatments are designed to meet people's "sensory"
expectations...offering instant gratification and the illusion that they
are doing their job. So therein lies the problem. For example adding
silicone to conditioner induces an artificial shine but in truth can
create problems long term including sensitivities.
Most people expect a shampoo to:
Foam up nicely
Smell good
Take all the so-called "nasty" oiliness out of their hair
Make their hair feel squeaky-clean
And
that's a reasonable ask - think about it...if your shampoo didn't foam
up, smell good, or leave your hair feeling squeaky-clean, would you
trust it? Well, here's the thing: 90% of commercial shampoos achieve the
foaming effect using the equivalent of engine degreasers to strip off
not only dirt and grime but also valuable natural oils that your scalp
needs.
Yes --your scalp needs natural oils. Without them, your
body has no natural defence - those oils are there for a reason! Your
scalp needs to maintain a natural PH balance that if disturbed - can
develop into a dry, itchy irritated scalp. The good news is that there
are many natural remedies you can use with moisturising oils and natural
powerful alternatives to heal & reverse any scalp problem by
restoring balance safely. You can easily repair follicle and damage -
even boost hair growth and use your own home remedy for scalp cell
regeneration. There are also the artificial aromas that are added - its
alarming the huge percentage of people who are mildly to severely averse
or allergic to artificial scents - resulting in itchy scalp, skin
rashes etc and we don't even know it.
So what non toxic itchy
scalp treatments and natural remedies can help? Well there are many non
toxic shampoos which are nourishing and conditioning while still giving
you're the "foam effect", they smell devine with the addition of the
natural oils they contain. So you do have a choice and it does NOT have
to cost you more - in fact most of them are less - you just have to know
what to look for.
So lets have a look at natural oils for treating your scalp...
Here are some of my favorite natural oils you can use for hair & scalp treatments.
Zinc
Pyrithione: Wonderful stuff for dandruff & itchy scalp conditions.
First synthesized in the 1930's, this is the most widely used active
ingredient from a natural source. It's used to treat dandruff,
seborrheic dermatitus, psoriasis, eczema and numerous other skin and
scalp disorders. It has strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
properties.
Jojoba: Is excellent as a scalp moisturiser and helps to rebalance sebum.
Tea
Tree: Oily hair ... Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and
underactive sebaceous glands, enlivens the scalp and brings the cells
& follicles to attention
Basil: Oily hair ... promotes growth
Chamomile: Fine to normal hair ... gives golden highlights
Clary sage: All types of hair ... dandruff treatment
Lavender: Normal hair ... Scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and even lice!
Lemon: Oily hair ... Gives golden highlights; treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Myrrh: Dry hair ... Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Patchouli: Oily hair ... Dandruff treatment
Peppermint: Dry hair ... Promotes hair growth
Rose: Fine hair ... Soothes scalp
Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil: Itchy Scalp, Dry Scalp Excellent for itchy scalp, dry scalp and dandruff
Rosemary: Oily hair ... Dandruff treatment; promotes hair growth
Tea tree: Oily hair ... Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Ylang-ylang: Oily hair ... Dandruff treatment
Neem:
... a wonder oil from India. Neem is amazing for all of the wonderful
"stuff" it does. It's also derived from a type of tree bark. Neem is an
effective fungicide and insecticide (great for head lice when used with
geranium, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus oils). In clinical studies
Neem extracts and oil were found to be as effective as coal tar and
cortisone in treating psoriasis with none of the usual side effects
accompanying the use of Neem as there was with Coal tar and cortisone.
Neem extracts and oil removes redness and itching when applied directly
to your scalp...and it's a great skin conditioner. Best of all its
excellent for relieving itching fast.
The best part of knowing
that there are alternatives is that you can have mix these into super
powerful blends like a super moisture boosting home remedy for dry
scalp, or soothing itchy scalp treatments. Dry itchy scalp can be dealt
with fast and permanently without spending a ton on traditional scalp
med products.
Here's just one easy remedy you can make today:
Home
remedy for dry itchy scalp Take ¼ c oatmeal and soak in water for 20
mins. Mix well and then strain the liquid adding it to a cup. Add 5
drops lavender oil (or lavender stalks steeped in ¼ cup hot water. Add 5
drops rosemary (or rosemary stalks steeped in ¼ cup hot water. Allow to
cool until tepid.
Mix the liquids together and dab on your
scalp...leave in for 10 mins to soothe the itch. This a good temporary
soother for itching. Chamomile tea is also soothing!
There are
hundreds of ideas that are excellent scalp treatments from dandruff to
scalp infections like scalp sores & psoriasis. These remedies
combined with the knowledge of what causes itchy scalp and other scalp
conditions will enable you to be free from itching, dryness and allow
you to grow fabulously thick, shiny beautiful hair also.....so have fun
experimenting and "luxuriating" by giving your hair a treat using the
many natural gifts from nature that are right under our noses! There are
also many natural shampoos that so not use these ingredients and do
wonders for your hair such as Akin shampoo, and Thursday Plantation
which is fantastic as an effective anti-dandruff shampoo.
I have
included a few more remedies and uses for oils below. There are many
many more in "Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies "
and a list of shampoos that are not toxic. They are nourishing &
repairing for your scalp & hair.
SOOTHING & HEALING
ANTIFLAMMATORY REMEDY: Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon of Neem oil
(antifungal & antiitching) 1 teaspoon Teatree or Manuka (also
antifungal) which much stronger than teatree, one teaspoon of Rosemary
oil and one teaspoon of Lavender oil together in 3 tablespoons of
carrier oils such as Olive or Almond oil (Wheatgerm and Macadamia
carrier oils closely match your natural sebum) and apply to your scalp
daily.
Alternatively add the oils together minus the olive/almond
oil to one cup if water in spray bottle and shake vigorously then spray
on your roots. If you can get a teaspoon of hemp oil add that to the mix
as well.
GARDEN REMEDY: Go to your garden and get 3 sprigs of
Rosemary, and chop up and add to 3 tea bags of Chamomile tea. Boil
gently, let cool, strain and rinse your hair with this liquid for a
calming antiflammatory effect.
As with all remedies please patch
test first and use at your own risk. And but only non toxic shampoos
without ingredients that cause your head to react, flake itch and
burn....plus more remedies in "Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp
Secrets & Remedies "
Heres a little about the oils above which
can be mixed to create various formulas to treat different conditions
and add condition to your hair found in my eBook "Beautiful Hair &
Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies ".
Neem Oil: Derived from a
type of tree bark it is an effective fungicide and insecticide (great
for head lice when used with geranium, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus
oils). It has a very strong odor which can overpower other fragrances
but its effectiveness is proven:
In clinical studies Neem extracts
and oil were found to be as effective as coal tar and cortisone in
treating psoriasis with none of the usual side effects accompanying the
use of Neem as there was with Coal tar and cortisone.
When applied
to the skin, Neem extracts and oil removes redness and itching while
improving the condition of the skin while being treated. In the case of
eczema clinical studies demonstrate that even the application of weaker
Neem leaf extracts effectively cured acute conditions of eczema with the
fresh cold pressed oil with its high concentration of active
ingredients.
Neem effectively kills the bacteria that cause Acne
and studies prove that Neem will reduce inflammation caused by acne and
other bacterial infections.
Its also good for other skin
conditions such as Dry Skin, Wrinkles, Dandruff, Itchy Scalp, Skin
Ulcers and Warts which can be effectively remedied with soaps and other
products containing Neem oil.
Lavender Oil: Lavender is known for
its calming properties both emotional and physical. There are different
varieties of lavender and certain ones are favored more than others for
medicinal treatments. Lavender is effective to soothe itching from skin
and sore scalp inflammations such as burning red itchy scalp, and
dandruff to insect bites as well as having a powerful calming effect to
treat scalp itching and irritated scalp as well as relax you and help
you nod off to sleep.
In one study of 86 people with alopecia
areata (a disease of unknown cause characterized by significant hair
loss, generally in patches), those who massaged their scalps with
lavender and other essential oils daily for 7 months experienced
significant hair re-growth compared to those who massaged their scalps
without the essential oils. It is not entirely clear from this study
whether lavender (or a combination of lavender and other essential oils)
was responsible for the beneficial effects. Scalp massage is also
highly beneficial to stimulate follicles and blood supply to the skin's
surface.
Aromatherapists also use lavender as a tonic in
inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and
exhaustion. Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections
(like candidiasis), dandruff, eczema of the scalp, wounds, scalp acne,
with lavender oil. It is also used externally in a healing bath for
circulatory disorders and as a rub for rheumatic ailments (conditions
affecting the muscles and joints).
Tea Tree Oil: One of the
strongest known natural antiseptics. Also has punative skin penetrating
capacity as an anti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial, germicide and
fungicide. The scientific name for it is Melaleuca Alternifolia.
Rosemary
Oil: Rosemary oil has a pronounced action on the brain and the central
nervous system and is wonderful for clearing the mind and mental
awareness, while having excellent brain stimulant properties, as well as
improving memory.
It helps with headaches, migraines, neuralgia,
mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion and the antiseptic action of
rosemary oil is especially suitable for intestinal infections and
diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders and
jaundice and relieving pain associated with itchy flaky scalp,
rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain and gout. It also helps for
arteriosclerosis, palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins.
The
diuretic properties of rosemary oil are useful with reducing water
retention during menstruation, and also with obesity and cellulite.
On
the respiratory system, it is effective for asthma, bronchitis,
catarrh, sinus and whooping cough. Because of its astringent action, it
is also effective for countering sagging skin. Its stimulating action
benefits scalp disorders and encourages hair growth.
On the skin,
it helps to ease congestion, puffiness and swelling and can also be used
for acne, dry inflamed scalp, dermatitis and eczema, but a very popular
use of this oil is the use in hair care products, as it has a
pronounced positive effect on the health of the hair and scalp. It
increases the circulation to the scalpand is therefore also effective
for promoting hair growth after having conditions such as dandruff or
scalp sores causing hair loss, scalp itching and scratching.
Rosemary
oil is effective for mental fatigue, circulation problems, pain relief
for the muscular system, decongests the respiratory tract and is a skin
and hair booster.